North Carolina Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

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North Carolina Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Division of Environmental HealthLead poisoning can be prevented.

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Lead-based PaintPaint manufactures used to put lead

pigments in paint because the pigments make the paint last longer, dry faster and cling to surfaces better.

Paint that is disturbed or that is breaking down with age can contaminate dust and soil.

Lead is highly toxic. Exposure to it can be dangerous, especially for young children.

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Child Exposure

Children are poisoned because they eat lead dust that has gotten on their hands, toys, pacifier, etc. Damage to the child’s health is usually done before symptoms show.

Children who may be exposed to lead hazards should be tested for elevated blood lead levels.

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CDC Guidelines

Targeted Screening of 12 and 24 month old children.

N.C. - mandatory screening for recipients of Medicaid, WIC, and HealthChoice.

Blood lead analysis provided at no charge through the State Laboratory.

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Blood Lead Levels

A blood test tells you what a child’s recent exposure to lead has been. Lead in blood is measured in micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (ug/dL). 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40low risk moderate risk high risk urgent risk

A level above 10 is of concern.

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N.C. Surveillance Data

In 1999: More than 105,000 kids tested. 625 confirmed 10 ug/dL or greater

(50% of EBL children were never retested).

80 confirmed lead poisoning.

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Health EffectsA lead-poisoned child usually seems healthy.

Exposure to low levels of lead can permanently affect children. In low levels lead can cause: Nervous system and kidney damage. Learning disabilities, attention deficit

disorder, and decreased intelligence. Speech, language, and behavior problems. Decreased muscle and bone growth. Hearing damage.

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Societal Cost

Lifetime cost of a moderately poisoned child: $40,000 - $60,000.

Reduction in lifetime earnings, medical and special education cost.

Does not include: reduced family time, anxiety in caring for a lead-poisoned child, decreased stature and hearing ability, increase juvenile delinquency and crime, and hypertension later in life.

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Adult Exposure

Inhalation/IngestionLong term health risks

high blood pressure reproductive problems anemia kidney failure memory and concentration problems muscle and joint pain

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Family Exposure

Lead can be dangerous to workers and their families if the worker brings equipment and clothing home from the job site.

Vehicles and homes can be contaminated with lead-based paint and dust if safe work practices are not followed.

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Global Action

Countries that either banned the use of lead paint or severely restricted children’s contact with it:

France 1840’s Spain 1931Germany 1870’s Yugoslavia 1931Australia 1920 Cuba 1931Great Britain 1926 USA 1978

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Affected Housing

According to HUD estimates:64 million homes have LBP.20 million homes with deteriorated

LBP likely to cause exposure.890,000 children with elevated blood

lead levels.

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Hazard?

Is all lead-based paint a hazard?

The mere presence of lead paint does not mean there is a hazard.

Lead-based paint that is intact and covered with several layers of non-lead paint is not a health risk if it is maintained.

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Equipment

HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleanerProperly fitted respiratorProtective clothesHeavy duty polyethylene plastic sheetingDuct tapeWet-sanding sponges/paperSpray bottlesDetergent

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Safe Work Practices

Control access to the work areaCover the work area with plasticCover the ground with plastic Shut off HVACNo eating, drinking, smoking in work

areaProtect occupant and belongingsMist painted surfaces before disturbing

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Safe Work Practices cont’d

Wet sweepPerform specialized cleaning when

project is completed.Change clothes and shoes before

leaving work area.Wash work clothes separately from

family laundry.Dispose of wash water down a toilet.

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Exterior Work

Cover the ground with 6 mil plastic sheeting.

Move play equipment at least 20’ away from the work area.

Close all windows and doors.Daily site cleanup

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Unsafe Work Practices

Stripping paint on-site with methylene chloride-based solutions.

Torch or flame burningHeating paint with a heat gun above

1100 degrees Fahrenheit.Uncontrolled abrasive blasting, or

uncontrolled waterblasting.

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Specialized Cleaning

Using a HEPA equipped vacuum cleaner, vacuum from the cleanest areas to the dirtiest areas. Work from the top of the room toward the bottom, cleaning, door frames, chair rails, window sills and troughs, shelves, counters, baseboards and floors.

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Specialized Cleaning cont’d

Wet CleaningDetergent solution and two bucketsWork from the cleanest to the dirtiest

areas. Change Rinse water at least once per

room.Change mop heads after each unit/house.Flush dirty water down the toilet.

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Preventive Maintenance Program

In 1997 the North Carolina General Assembly adopted the Childhood Lead Exposure Control Act establishing a voluntary preventive maintenance program (PMP).

The PMP is designed to to reduce childhood lead exposure in pre-1978 rental housing.

The PMP is primary prevention!

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Who is Eligible to Participate?

Participation Is Voluntary.

Owners of pre-1978 residential rental property are eligible to participate.

Owners of property identified as a potential source of childhood lead poisoning are also eligible to participate.

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Who cannot Participate?

Child occupied facilities such as child care centers and schools.

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Benefits Of ParticipationProtect children from

exposure to lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust.

Liability relief from lead poisoning related lawsuits.

Property Marketing.

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Maintenance Standard Activities

Repair and repaint interior areas of deteriorated paint.

Adjust doors and windows to minimize friction.

Make interior surfaces smooth and cleanable.

Cap window troughs with vinyl or aluminum.

Pre-1950’s property must also:

repair and repaint exterior areas;

cover bare soil within 3 ft. of the foundation.

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Maintenance Standard Activities (cont’d)

Use safe work practices to prevent the spread of lead dust.

Protect occupant’s belongings. Use specialized cleaning to remove

residual lead dust.Provide occupant information.

Undergo annual monitoring.

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Maintenance Staff

Maintenance staff should have proper training and a clear understanding of lead-based paint hazards, safe work practices, occupant protection, and dust cleanup methods.

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Questions?

Claudia Rumfelt-WrightPreventive Maintenance Program

CoordinatorDivision of Environmental Health1632 Mail Service CenterRaleigh, NC 27699-1632

Tel. (919) 715-8497Fax (919) 715-4739